Hilary Paxman - Chair
Hilary came into contact with Momentum Children’s Charity in 2010, when her son, Alex, was diagnosed with a PNET brain tumour. Alex underwent treatment at Kingston, The Royal Marsden and St George’s hospitals over the next 18 months, and the entire family benefitted hugely from the support from Momentum Children’s Charity. 10 years on since Alex’s diagnosis, the Paxmans still feel very much a part of the Momentum family. Hilary has been a Trustee since 2013 and became Chair of Trustees in September 2019.
After 30 years as a Civil Servant working at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office and the then Department for Communities and Local Government, Hilary is now a consultant with a special interest in local economic growth and town centres. She lives in Kingston, and has also been a local school governor.
James Conway - Deputy Chair
James became aware of the charity in 2014 and was immediately overcome by the passion and commitment of the team. After visiting Kingston Hospital and seeing for himself the work we do, he wanted to help us do more. Since that day, he has become both a close friend and firm supporter. Owner of a successful business in the eyewear industry, James hopes his aptitude for business and love of marketing will prove to be a great resource to us, one he hopes will go some way towards helping us achieve our dreams and aspirations for years to come. He joined the board in May 2016.
Chris Butter - Head of Finance
Chris is a chartered accountant and a partner in our Forensic Services practice at PWC. He experienced first-hand the support we offer when his child was seriously ill. He joined the Board of Trustees in May 2017.
Kieron Lynch
Kieron became a trustee in June 2012 but has been a supporter since the charity's foundation in 2004. That was the year that his 17 year old daughter Fiona died from a brain tumour. Fiona received excellent care during her time in hospital but there is no doubt she would have benefitted from the hugely improved facilities for children and teenagers created by the charity. Kieron has spent his career in the City of London. He is an executive director of JP Morgan and a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. He is also an advisor to the trustees of Holy Cross Prep School in Kingston and Chairman of the 1930 Fund for District Nurses.
Victor de Cruz
Victor joined the board in March 2016. He is a solicitor, with his own firm specialising in civil and commercial dispute.
Alistair Wood
Alistair’s connection with the charity started in September 2016 soon after his youngest daughter, Daisy aged six, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Right from the onset we stepped in to provide emotional support to the whole family and then as the treatment continued we were able to provide those much needed boosts to Daisy’s, and her older sister Poppy’s, morale with fairy visits, music therapy and a much-needed break in the New Forest holiday home. Since Daisy’s diagnosis, Alistair has become an active fundraiser by running the London Marathon and competing in the Kingston Dragon Boat Festival.
A Kingston resident, Alistair was formerly an Army Officer but has since spent the past 15 years working for General Electric in the Healthcare business where he specializes in diagnostic medical ultrasound.
Vanessa Walters
Vanessa’s son was diagnosed with cancer when he was two weeks old and died just four months later. Momentum was, and is, a huge support to her and her family. As a corporate solicitor specialising in financial services, she hopes to use her legal knowledge to assist the charity with its governance.
Mario Bodini
Mario Bodini ran the accommodation wholesaler, “JacTravel” for almost 35 years before retiring from it in January 2016, although he is still very active in the industry. He has strong business experience and good links with the travel and leisure industry. He lives in Cobham with his wife Jackie, and has 2 children in their twenties. Mario is very inspired by the charity’s work in the local area and wants to help develop the corporate fundraising income stream.
Graham Smith
Graham has lived in Kingston for 37 years. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1981 and for the last 35 years he has owned, managed and finally sold a furniture rental company in Chessington before retiring in 2020.
Graham first gained an understanding of Momentum’s work when he volunteered to learn how to skipper the Momentum boat. He's delighted to now be putting his long experience of managing a medium size business through its ups and downs to good use as Treasurer on our Board of Trustees.
